The Song That Defeats the Enemy

In 2 Chronicles 20:1 – 30 you find the story of how God saved Jerusalem from three great armies that had gathered together to invade and conquer Judah. Upon hearing this news, king Jehoshaphat set his face to worship the Lord. God spoke through Jahaziel, one of the Levites, and assured the king and the people that He would fight for them. They received God’s word and became the amen of it. The next part of the story, 20:21 – 23, is thrilling.

Jehoshaphat appointed the priests to dress in their holy attire, to go before the army, and to sing one song to the Lord, “Give thanks to the LORD, for his steadfast love endures forever.” This song is found in several psalms, but is primary in Psalm 107 and 136. Both of these songs tell the stories of great trials and threats and how God stepped in to save and to deliver His people. They celebrate the greatness and goodness of God on behalf of His covenant people. Placing this priestly choir in front of the army was reminiscent of what Joshua did when he and the people encircled Jericho for seven days (Joshua 6:1 – 7).

Gratitude is the foundation of worship because it celebrates the greatness and goodness and love of God. Likewise, ingratitude is the foundation of sin and is an expression of suppressing the truth of God’s revelation of Himself. Paul states it clearly in Romans 1:18 – 23, that “…what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them…his invisible attributes, namely his eternal power and divine nature…but they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him…” But Jehoshaphat responded to God’s revelation with gratitude and praise.

When the choir and the army left Jerusalem, following the particular word from God through Jahaziel, they were still several miles from the three invading armies. But 20:22 says that God “…set an ambush against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir…” The word “ambush” is the Hebrew word ahrab, which means to wait for the purpose of destroying someone or something. God was waiting for the invading armies. It says that God “…routed them.” The word “routed” is the Hebrew word nagap, and is used in the Old Testament to describe a death-blow. It literally means to strike, but has the meaning of death as the result of the blow. As God’s people, led by gratitude and praise, marched toward the enemy, God caused the invading armies to turn on each other and they literally killed each other without a single one surviving.

The author was telling this story to his sons, ages five and three at the time, when the oldest, Ben, asked, “Daddy, if they all turned on each other, killing each other, how did the last guy die?” Dan, his brother, always watching Ben, looked at me and also nodded, wanting to know the answer. I said, “It doesn’t say in the Bible, but I guess the last guy had been wounded so badly during the confusion, that he must have bled to death.” Both boys are now doctors and I have often wondered if this story may have encouraged them to pursue the medical profession. Not sure, but today they are both fine Christian physicians.

When Jehoshaphat with the choir and the army arrived on the scene, it took them three days to gather up the spoil and on the fourth day they had a great celebration and named the place the Valley of Beracah, which means the valley of blessing. God had blessed them with a victory and with the spoils of war while they were blessing Him with gratitude and praise. The point is clear: Listen to what God has said in His word and is saying to you through His messengers. The revelation will be of Himself. You will learn from it, which will result in gratitude and praise for Him. And the enemies of God will be routed, which will result in great victory and blessings! This is the kind of worship war that pleases the Father. Hallelujah!!!